Juventus return to Serie A summit

Fernando Llorente scored a stoppage-time winner to help Juventus snatch a 1-0 win over Udinese and stretch its lead at the top of the Italian league to three points after Roma drew 1-1 at Atalanta.

Roma also needed a late goal as Kevin Strootman scored in the final minute to preserve the team’s unbeaten record.

Mario Balotelli’s free kick helped AC Milan beat Catania 3-1 for its first win in six league matches, while a last-minute equalizer saw Sampdoria earn a 1-1 draw at Inter Milan, in front of new Nerazzurri President Erick Thohir.

Elsewhere, Cagliari came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Sassuolo and Chievo Verona beat Livorno 3-0.

Juventus dominated possession, but it was Udinese which had the best opportunities and home goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon pulled off a three stunning saves to deny Antonio di Natale twice and Andrea Lazzari once.

Defender Stephan Lichtsteiner returned after almost two months out with an injury and he was instrumental in the Juventus goal flicking on a cross for Llorente to head past the motionless Zeljko Brkic.

Llorente had almost scored moments earlier but saw his header cleared off the line by Udinese defender Allan.

Kickoff had been brought forward to allow more than 12,000 children to fill the stands behind each goal, replacing the ultras which had been banned for insulting territorial chants against Napoli.

It was Juve’s sixth successive league victory without conceding a goal.